Save Money On > ElectronicsJune 27, 2008

Tips for saving money when purchasing a TV as suggested by the ThriftyFun community. Post your own advice here.

Clearance Models

Keep an eye in Sunday fliers for clearance models. These can be discounted as much as 30 to 40%. This happens when big stores like best buy need to clear out their old models to make room for new. There are also clearance models that are returns or display models, but I prefer closeout, since the products are still in unopened boxes.

Do Your Homework

I always check at least two places when making almost any purchase. First, is it worth my money, http://www.consumerreports.org

Second, for the best price I go to http://www.bestwebbuys.com This site compares many vendors on the web for price and shipping price. This site is best for Books and Electronics. Or http://www.pricescan.com, same idea as the other website. This site is really great for electronics to everything else.

By Sdominy

Check Fry's, Etc. And Look For Further Savings

I'd check out the prices at Fry's, Target and Wal-Mart. Also, Target's credit card gives you a 10% off anything coupon (use for 1 day only, internet and store) when you spend $1,000 on their credit card. I do most of my grocery shopping there, so we get the coupons a couple of times per year.

Also, Target gives the coupon for having a number of prescriptions filled (might be 10) - so that would be another way to receive this discount. Wal-Mart.com was advertising that they'll ship to the store for free, so they might have some good online prices.

Last suggestion - do not go TV shopping with your spouse. "The bigger the better" is a guy's motto for TV's and "The bigger, the more expensive," is my motto.

By cookwie

Floor Models and Returns

My friend told me to go to Best Buy and pick out a TV that I would consider purchasing. Of course I shopped lots of other places and had an idea of what I wanted and the price. I asked the salesperson if they had a returned item of the same TV I picked out. Yes, they did and it was over $100 cheaper because the little box door was missing on the front. I bought the one year warranty as anything that was wrong in 90 days could be returned for a NEW TV. I wound up paying much less for the TV with the warranty with a broken little box on the front that nobody would ever notice.

Sometimes you can get floor models for a lot cheaper also. If you live in a condo building, some people are always selling TV's and sometimes giving them away.

By LadyD

Buyer Beware, Even With A Warranty

A friend and his wife bought a big screen TV just less than a year ago. It is still under the manufacture warranty plus they purchased a 5 year extended plan. The TV went out. He was told it is due to a faulty bulb in the TV and the manufacturer is responsible for the repairs. The faulty bulbs were known by the company but they continued to sell the TV.

Now, he is fighting the store and the manufacturer to get their TV repaired. Buyer Beware. Do your research, compare what the salesman tells you, and use good judgment in deciding who is telling the truth. Ask other people if they are satisfied with their purchase.

Go to the Internet and check the list of recalls for TV's. Don't overspend by buying extra equipment you don't need. Check your sales papers for the best price and pick a store you trust and ask them to give you the lowest sale price.

By Linda

Check TV Repair Shops or Do Without

A friend got a large screen TV for very little by shopping at a TV repair shop. We stopped watching the tube 26 years ago. It's amazing how much more you can get done without that distraction. Cooking more nutritious meals, reading books, playing games. My husband enjoys "playing" in his garden in the cool of the evening. Not to mention the savings in electricity bills and gas bills.

By Coreenhart

Get Computer Alerts on Sales

Go to http://www.slickdeals.net and http://www.fatwallet.com and sign up for their news alerts, when there's a hot deal on a TV you might be interested in. The big box stores and the online stores are always running sales. Read Consumers Reports and the audio visual forums for the best TVs around and you'll be ready to pounce when the one you want goes for a price you want to pay. You can always wait for Black Friday when the notorious sales are, that's the day after Thanksgiving when the stores typically go into the black after a whole year in the red.

Sometimes stores have a scratched or dented set or even one that was ordered and returned. Dell does this. There is a nice reduction in price.

By Daiquiri

Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Discounts

This is a buyers market right now. Some of the big box stores are authorized to give a 10% discount but you have to say something like "I can get this cheaper somewhere else" or something like that. This is something that is not advertised but it's happening.

Also, check the internet. Shop around find the better deals from your home. When you make your decision, don't let a salesman change it for you. You know what and how much you want to spend. The salesman wants to add all the little frills which increases his commission.

Also, they will probably ask about an extended warranty. Read the fine print. Know what you are getting into before deciding on the extended warranty if you even want one. Most of the manufacturers are only giving out 1 year warranty on products so maybe an extended warranty is a good thing. But do your shopping first. Know what you want and how much you can afford and don't let the salesperson change your mind.

By DEBRADJ.

Do you have any ideas to share? Feel free to post them below.

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